A U.S. State Department spokesman says Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe “did not learn the right lessons” from public uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.
Spokesman P.J. Crowley posted the comment late Tuesday on the social networking site Twitter.
Crowley cited the arrest of activists in Zimbabwe who had gathered to discuss implications of the revolts in North Africa.
Zimbabwean police detained 46 people on Saturday and accused them of plotting demonstrations similar to those that ousted the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.
Police accused the group of watching video of the protests as a motivational tool. A lawyer for the activists denied they were planning any anti-government protests.
Zimbabwean authorities often use arrests and violence to quash any demonstrations against Mr. Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party.
Mr. Mugabe has led Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980.
The 87-year-old leader was forced to form a power-sharing government with his rival Morgan Tsvangirai after a disputed presidential vote in 2008.
The future of the government is uncertain, as Mr. Mugabe has called for elections later this year. Mr. Tsvangirai, who is now prime minister, says the country must first have conditions for a free and fair vote.